Novi

After a sound thrashing by the Russian Field Marshal Alexander Vasilievitch Suvorov, the French General Jean Moreau brought his demoralized army into the safety of Genoa. The French Army of Italy was then reinforced by 10,000+ men and command devolved on General Barthelemy Joubert, one of the Republic's most dashing and gifted generals. In the first weeks of August 1799, Joubert rocketed out of Genoa and crossed the Ligurian Alps. Near the walled town of Novi on 12 August, Joubert scattered a 20,000-man Austrian covering force following several intense hours of hard fighting. Joubert then set about resting and refitting his men. Field Marshal Suvorov was not slow to respond to this threat. Abandoning all of his other operations, Suvorov marched on Novi. By late on the 14th, the Russian Marshal had united 75-80% of his command in front of Novi, while the Austrian General Melas was quickly approaching from the east. The assault on Novi would begin at first light. At 5 am, Kray's wing advanced against the French left. The Austrians attacked with great elan, pushing the French back toward Francavilla. The Austrians were burning with revenge for their defeat three days earlier. Joubert was totally unprepared for the Allied onslaught. Leading a battalion of grenadiers to buy time for deployment, Joubert was shot dead. Command now fell on Moreau. Around 1030 hours, General Prince Peter Bagration's Advance Guard advanced on Novi supported by the newly arrived Miloradovich. Moreau was now struggling to repulse the determined attacks of the Allies. By mid-afternoon, Moreau had exhausted his reserves and had started pulling troops from his unengaged right to shore up his left and center. It was at this time, around 2:30 pm, that General Melas made his appearance on Moreau's right with 19,000 men. The French right buckled and disintegrated. The French routed and streamed back to Genoa, leaving 11,000 to 15,000 casualties on the field. Suvorov also bagged 2-3,000 prisoners during the next few days, including the future Marshal of France; Grouchy. The Allies lost around 8,000 men, the majority of which were from Kray's Austrians. Suvorov was now supreme in Italy. He had, with three battles completely reversed Bonaparte's successes and was ready to carry the war into Southern France. Here the Hofkriegrath intervened and ordered Suvorov over the Alps to assist the Austrians, pressed by Massena, in Switzerland. The stage was set for the most remarkable and arduous episode of the great Field Marshal's career.